Tornado siren installed in Town of Halifax

SoVaNow.com / September 27, 2012

A tornado siren was placed into service in the Town of Halifax last Friday, September 20. Located at the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department, the siren will provide audible warning within one mile of the fire station once a tornado warning is issued.

The project, which cost just under $12,000, was completed jointly by the Town of Halifax, the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department and Halifax County Emergency Services. The siren is designed to protect town residents,visitors, and those who work within the town limits by providing a steady and constant audible wail.

The warning will be activated remotely whenever a warning is issued for the area in and around the Town of Halifax.

Officials planned to test the newly installed siren on Wednesday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m. Residents, visitors, and those who work within town limits are encouraged to review their own emergency plans during this time.

A reminder Code Red message was sent to citizens in and around the Town of Halifax on Wednesday morning.

In the event of an actual tornado warning, residents should be prepared to take the following immediate actions:

1. Immediately move to the lowest possible area in your home, like a basement or seek shelter in an interior hallway, bathroom, or other room free of windows and exterior doors

2. Kneel down and cover your face

3. Stay in position until the storm has passed and monitor local weather radio.

Citizens who do not live within range of a siren can be notified by NOAA Weather Radio or by registering as a free subscriber to Code Red, the Halifax County emergency notification system.